Theorising Special Education

This field of special education has been through marked changes in recent years with the emergence of notions such as 'inclusive schooling' and 'entitlement curricula'. This book brings together contributions from the UK and beyond.

`This book provides a succinct overview of SEN policy and is likely to be a useful resource for those undertaking accredited courses related to SEN and inclusion′ - SENCO Update ′The combination of the theoretical and practical aspects of special educational needs makes this book a valuable resource for practitioners and should enable them to develop reflective and insightful practice.′ - Michael Shevlin, Trinity College Dublin, TES Extra Special Needs `This is a comprehensive and thorough overview of the Special Educational Needs (SEN) landscape as it is in the UK today. The book is very clearly aimed at specialists in the field, and Michael Farrell incorporates developments that are sometimes ignored - emotional intelligence for example. There is a nice touch in that each chapter concludes with ′thinking points′. I could see that the book could make a sound basis for a training course on SEN, based around these. The book is highly readable though I expect it is more likely to be used as a reference text, or, as I suggested above, as a basis for training. However it is used, it is invaluable as an up to date assessment of SEN in 2004 and highly recommended to anyone working, or planning to work in this field′ - Nurtuting Potential `Essential reading for every SENCO, in fact, for everyone involved in special educational needs. By examining the background to key areas the book gives teachers, managers and advisers the depth of understanding that is necessary to make informed choices about what constitutes the most effective practice′ - Dr Tony Lingard, Head of Learning Support, Cambourne Science and Community College `With its scope and depth of coverage, this book provides a useful resource through combining background information, theory and practice as well as the tools for further research for both novice and experienced practitioner′ - Ms Lyn Hurst, Headteacher This book provides a `route map′ for special education. Through examining related disciplines, which illuminate the field, it considers how special education can be better understood. The author views issues in special education within the wider disciplines of history, sociology, law, politics, ethics, economics, medicine and psychology. He looks at the national, local and school frameworks in which special education operates, and shows how provision for pupils with special educational needs is influenced by structures, procedures and practices at national, local and school levels. Features include: } the ethics of preventing disability } ′lesson′s history } identifying value in sociological perspectives } psychological and other Models of teaching } aspects of the National Framework } aspects of the Local Framework } the School SEN Policy } the Curriculum and School Organization This book is essential reading for teachers, headteachers, Special Educational Needs co-ordinators and all those who have an interest in special education and managing inclusion.

Provides the reader with a broad and critical view of a much debated but little understood topic Provides access to the practical implications of recent research findings Draws on the perspectives of professionals and parents on both the instructional and affective implications of a move towards more inclusive practice Provides a robust discussion of the implications for education of developing a responsive service for a diversity of learners

'What a terrific resource: comprehensive and current, this Handbook is a vital acquisition for all involved in special education programs. Dr Farrell writes clearly and with a practical flair ... Highly recommended.' – Michael Arthur-Kelly PhD, Associate Professor and Director, Special Education Centre, University of Newcastle, Australia This acclaimed, bestselling and comprehensive guide, now in a fully updated fourth edition, is an essential reference book for anyone involved with special education. All entries have been reviewed to reflect current practice and the book is enriched with extra resources, including references to useful Internet sites. Focusing on current educational frameworks in the United Kingdom and the United States of America, the author has gathered into one A to Z volume a wide range of information essential to good practice in mainstream and special schools. A thematic index helps the reader plot a course through topics of interest. The broad themes and areas covered are: basic terms, ideas and values venues relating to special education, and school organisation roles and responsibilities individual differences among learners with disabilities and disorders curriculum and assessment, resources and technology pedagogy and classroom organisation therapy and care. Presented in a handy quick reference format The Special Education Handbook also provides a coherent account of the complexities of special education, combining a wealth of practical guidance with the latest research findings. This clear and concise Handbook is indispensable for all those involved in special education, including teachers, teaching assistants, parents, administrators and others.

This book traces the major stages of thinking in the development of inclusive education. It provides overviews of the main theoretical influences: the medico-psychological model; sociological positions; curriculum studies; school effectiveness; and the impact upon policy and practice of the Disability Movement. Positioned and discussed in their historical contexts the book provides a synopsis and critique of the last 50 years, including the introduction of the term "Special Educational Needs," the practice of integration, and the present processes of inclusive education. The unique features of this book include personal reflections by a number of people who are considered to have had major influence in the

Drawing on the work of innovative educators, this edited volume shows how adopting a solutions focused approach can offer new constructive ways forward for special education. Diverse international contributors from both the world of special education and solutions focused thinking, offer ways to rethink special education and to focus on what can be done rather than what can't. Each chapter offers insights into how solutions focused thinking can reframe special education and the tangible results for children, families and schools. Chapters on teaching and learning, behaviour support, human resources, school leadership and family and community show how a solutions focused approach can be transformative for all aspects of special and inclusive education.

This revised edition of a popular text offers students an updated and comprehensive overview across special education. It critically examines the intellectual foundations of special education and considers the consequences of their influence for professional and popular thinking about learning difficulties. The chapters place inclusion within a social and political context to highlight how concepts have been influences by theory and ideology across the years. The book offers guidance to students on specific issues such as reading and behavioural difficulties with theoretically grounded information. With a fresh chapter discussing current research, intersectionality and increased marketisation within education this book reflects the new landscape and legislation of special education. “Essential reading for anyone studying or working in either special or inclusive education… Few could build the case as well as Thomas and Loxley.” Melanie Nind, Professor of Education, University of Southampton, UK “Few books in the field of education merit the soubriquet 'must read'. This is one such." Philip Garner, Professor, Brunel University, UK “An absolute must-read for all of us committed to realising genuine inclusion within schools and society!” Jan Valle, The City College of New York, USA "Finishing your first reading of their book makes you realise that you must return to it, such is the richness of the analysis and reach of its detail. This is a tour de force, a line in the sand for all successive work in the field of inclusive education." Roger Slee, Diamond Jubilee Professor of Disability Studies, University of Leeds, UK

A unique cross-disciplinary critique of the foundations of Special Education. Covers legal, conceptual, medical, pharmacological, neuropsychological, social, behavioural, cognitive, psychotherapeutic, psycholinguistic, technological and pedagogical foundations Provides examples of how each foundation provides insights or practical contributions to special education generally, and to specific disabilities and disorders in particular Delivers information across all major types of disorder/disability in a single volume, creating a must-have reference for anyone involved in special education training, research or teaching